Holness Moves to Open Public Land Banks for Structured Citizen Acquisition

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has disclosed that the Government is nearing completion of arrangements to put lands controlled by public agencies into the hands of Jamaicans by way of a formal, structured pathway designed to widen lawful routes to property ownership.

The policy is positioned to open fresh avenues for citizens to secure land, while feeding into a wider national effort to settle tenure disputes, reinforce property rights, and guide planned growth across Jamaica.

"I have called all the entities that have a land bank and I said, give me all the lands that you have that can be made available. It will be a competitive process, but we know the issues with equity. Some people can afford; some can't. The only reason it has not yet been implemented is that we have to figure out how we can ensure that those people who can't afford it, can still get access," the Prime Minister said.

Dr. Holness made the statement on Thursday, June 18, during the Ackee Walk and Jackson Town Land Titling Ceremony held at the Meadowbrook Church of Christ in St. Andrew, where 40 residents were presented with Certificates of Title.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister stressed that firm legal title protects citizens, helps families build wealth across generations, and underpins Jamaica's sustained progress.

"Titling enshrines ownership in the minds of the people. But ownership comes with responsibility. When you own something, you become a steward. You manage it," Dr. Holness said. He noted that holding property in one's own name fosters accountability and care that reach beyond households into neighbourhoods and the country at large.

Dr. Holness also cautioned that the steady spread of unregulated settlements is holding back national progress by tying up parcels needed for housing, roads, sewer systems, and other essential public works.

"People are moving onto land and using social injustice issues as a basis for doing it without recognising that their individual actions are limiting the development options of the country and limiting their own options," he said.

He further warned that "the communities that are created cannot be safe, will not be adequately serviced and have no economic value in terms of passing on intergenerational wealth."

Ackee Walk and Jackson Town were brought under the Registration of Titles, Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) Act in October 2024, a step that allows the Government to speed up the clearing of long-standing tenure problems shaped by estate complications, family disagreements, and historical claims.

Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Hon. Robert Montague, urged the new title holders to protect their assets and called on other Jamaicans to seek formal recognition of their land holdings.

"It is not a piece of paper you are getting," Minister Montague said. "You are getting hope, opportunity, security and something to leave for your children."

The Minister restated the Government's support for planned development and warned against occupying public lands or trying to gain property through illegal channels.